I’ve recently been accused of being a low-level luddite amongst my friends. I have a habit of balking at emerging technologies before slowly coming around to them on my own time. I was the last one of my pals to get a Facebook account in high school and smart phone in college (I’m the exact age you think I am).
I feel this way about wearable technology. “Wearables” (cringe) like Apple Watches or Oura Rings are smart accessories designed to track workouts and health metrics. In theory, I get the appeal! If you can capture important data about your body, shouldn’t you take advantage of that?
Maybe not. On this week’s episode of It’s Been a Minute, I found out that doctors don’t want to review your Apple Watch data. Wearables have gamified the pursuit of health, leading you to obsess over biometrics that aren't all that useful to making healthier choices. You know who does benefit from all that tracking? The tech companies gathering your biodata for free.
But wait– it’s not all bad. Wearables can do good from a public-health perspective. Tech companies are partnering with researchers to help them track health trends on a macro level, which could lead to possible scientific breakthroughs.
And if they can also help you perfect your pace for your next half-marathon? Then go for it. I’m not your doctor (and neither is your Apple Watch 😉).
Your low-level luddite,
🧮 Em
P.S. Our friends at It’s Been A Minute want to know: what personal metric do you wish you could track? For instance, I’d love to know everyone who has ever had a crush on me. Send your answers to podclub@npr.org.
The week’s best episodes
…to share with your Strava-obsessed friend
⚖️ These college coaches are facing their day in court
Over the last year, two reporters have been following stories about the rampant emotional abuse in college sports, ranging from body-shaming to financial threats. On this episode of The Sunday Story from Up First, learn about the legal and life-threatening consequences of coaches who crossed a line.
🥲 Optimism is a muscle (so work it)
Oof, I needed this episode of Life Kitabout the power of clear-eyed optimism. Sometimes it feels easy to sink into a glass-half-empty mindset, but optimisim is a teachable skill, says psychologist Deepika Chopra. She joins the pod to share tips on resisting apathy and numbing out as a coping mechanism.
🎬 Mr. Nobody wins this time
Catching up on some Oscar-winning films this weekend? Get primed with this conversation from WNYC’s On The Mediawith the subject of Mr. Nobody Against Putin, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature last Sunday.
🗳️ Focus up, it’s a (midterm) election year
The team behind The NPR Politics Podcast is running a monthly focus group with swing voters who voted for Biden in 2020 and Trump in 2024. This bonus episode takes you behind the scenes, sharing what the team hopes to learn from voters over the coming months. Get access to this episode (and sponsor-free listening) by signing up for NPR+.
One to Watch
Did you know a sweet man in Rhode Island has been illustrating Paddington Bear since 1997?! Ocean State Media profiled R.W. Alley on the lasting power of the iconic children’s book character.
@ocean.state.media/Instagram
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